"I really don't think you should be riding by yourself this late Roman."
Logan said as he tried to keep up with the smirking prince on a horse.
Roman stopped for a second, thinking. "Well as my advisor you have done your job. So if I decide not to take your advice... That's not your problem."
He smiled as he picked up pace again.
Logan started jogging to try and keep up, not enjoying the physical exercise. "I'm not sure the king will see it that way."
Which was simply replied by with a shrug as he left the castle gates, leaving Logan behind with them.
Logan sighed and started making his way back to the castle.
***
Roman looked at the sky. Logan was right, it was late. The sun had been almost completely covered by the trees in the distance.
The mountains were closer then he had ever seen them before and they looked almost ominous with the forest in front of them. The river was quietly flowing next to the path.
Once the sun had fully disappeared, Roman looked around where he was, slowing down when he realized he had no idea. The trees were darker and the grass had become longer, there was no path to be seen.
The prince silently un-mounted his horse as the trees were too close together to ride any longer. Although he would never show it, he was terrified.
Roman began to walk, trying hard to find anything that looked familiar when he came to a clearing. Seemingly empty, but it was obvious that someone was living there.
There was a small bag of food beside a makeshift bed and a river nearby. Moss covered almost every stone and tree trunk and small flowers were growing on the ground in varying colours. The tall trees made almost a roof over the whole clearing. It was surprisingly beautiful, that is until a figure walked up behind him pointing a bow and arrow directly at his head.
"Move and you're a dead man."
The cloaked figure said as he started walking around Roman to see his face. The prince stayed completely still.
"Why are you here?" He asked Roman. His voice was almost emotionless, but there was something there. Fear.
"I asked you a question."
The stranger said. Roman decided that he didn't want to risk the consequences of not answering the scary person with a bow and arrow.
"I am Prince Roman. I was riding my horse when I became lost, then-"
"-Alright."
The stranger said, rudely cutting Roman off mid explanation.
"No need for a whole novel about it princey."
He said, chucking his weapon at the ground next to his bed.
"Most light sides don't venture this far north."
The stranger took his hood down and started making a fire as he spoke again.
"My names Virgil by the way."
"Light sides?"
Roman asked, warming his hands over the fire.
Virgil sighed.
"Light sides, as in people that live in the other kingdom, your kingdom."
Roman stared at him, obviously confused.
Virgil silently gestured for Roman to sit down and began to explain.
"About fifty years ago, there was a fight between the two sides of the kingdom. One side decided that they didn't want to be a part of the other and split of, calling themselves the 'Dark Kingdom'."
The prince looked down, trying to remember all the story's his mother used to tell him.
"I've never heard that before."
Virgil shrugged.
"Most of you don't. We don't have much to do with each other. We're not exactly the best of friends."
In the distance, they could hear someone shouting.
Roman stood up, recognising the voice.
"I've got to go."
